Judicial Affairs promotes healthy lifestyles

House Editorial

It's big. It's bad. It's scary.

It's the Office of Judicial Affairs.

Judicial Affairs has a reputation just as any other law-enforcing institution — you don't want to mess with it because it can get you into some deep trouble.

But, what students fail to realize is that Judicial Affairs has something else in mind when it sends its latest offenders to outreach programs.

"Really, we're here to promote an environment at the university that best leads to education," said Michael Way, director of Judicial Affairs.

As a student, one has a responsibility to JMU and the community, and, therefore, Judicial Affairs exists to uphold that responsibility. Being called to a hearing for a violation isn't like being thrown to a pack of hungry wolves. In fact, half of those who make the final judgment are student volunteers.

That's right — despite contrary belief, Judicial Affairs isn't made up of adults who get pleasure out of sentencing students with strikes and boring programs. Of the 50 individuals who sit on the Judicial Council, 25 are students — the other 25 are faculty or staff members. And, chances are, if you are sent to a two-hour program on alcohol awareness, the instructor also will be a student.

Judicial Affairs is here to lead JMU students down the right path. Students' newly found freedom of living away from home comes with responsibility, and they are treated with just as much respect and fairness as adults in the "real world."

In its mission statement, the Office of Judicial Affairs declares its purpose that they "are committed to promoting student learning, civic responsibility and, in partnership with others, developing the environment necessary for the university to best achieve its educational mission."

Notice that there is nothing in the statement that claims it is out to cause the student body headaches. Any student caught and charged with a violation of university policy receives the right to a fair trial. There also are "flexible violations," which can be considered major or minor offenses subjectively — alcohol, drugs and gambling are among these. And who wants someone who commits such as sexual assault or theft, to be around campus, anyway?

"We're only as effective as students perceive us to be fair," Way said. In other words, if students realize that Judicial Affairs is here to do good, they'll be more open to learning and benefit from the program.

Next time you're caught red-handed (or red-cupped), don't be so scared of Judicial Affairs. The punishment you are about to receive probably is deserved, and Judicial Affairs is here to make sure that you aren't going to do harm to yourself or others once again. Remember that being a student also means having a responsibility — and that is what you should live up to.